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Scientists test space device to detect elusive dark matter

Scientists are working on an ambitious dark matter experiment in space in the hope it can unravel one of the universe's greatest mysteries.

For years, experts have been baffled by the puzzling force, which is invisible and yet makes up about 85% of all mass in our known cosmos.

Now a team from the University of Southampton have developed a concept that they claim could advance our understanding of dark matter.

The experts have begun testing a device that measures tiny signals by firing lasers through graphite sheets levitating in zero gravity.

Its mastermind physicist Tim Fuchs said it could be the first step to more space-based experiments that might detect it.

He added, "There are lots of theories as to what dark matter might be but no experiment on Earth has ever come close to detecting it.

"Dark matter remains one of the fundamental questions scientists are still trying to answer—it dictates the structure of our universe but is still undetectable.

"Our experiment is unlike anything attempted before: We'll be levitating graphite between magnets which, in zero gravity, are incredibly sensitive to small forces.

"If there is a sufficiently high density of dark matter, a dark 'wind' will softly push our levitated particles by an amount we can measure—detecting it for the first time ever."

Dark matter, which was first identified in the 1930s, does not emit, absorb or reflect light in any meaningful quantity, making it undetectable by telescopes.

However, scientists know it exists due to its gravitational effects on visible matter, said Fuchs.

"The movements of stars and galaxies within the universe can only be explained by the gravitational influence of dark matter," he added.

The experimental device will be blasted into space aboard a new satellite, which is being developed between Space South Central and the universities of Southampton, Portsmouth, and Surrey under the name Jovian-1.

Different options are being explored by the Jovian-1 team to launch the satellite early next year.

The Southampton dark matter device weighs just 1.5kg—and, once jettisoned, will fly around the Earth in low orbit for two years to conduct its tests.

Fuchs added, "There are theories that say the dark matter interaction rate may actually be so high that it cannot penetrate our atmosphere or the mountains under which detectors have been built.

"This might explain why many of the major Earth experiments that have been built to detect dark matter have not revealed any conclusive signals.

"Our mission is the first of its kind to use this levitating technology in space—and we hope it will serve as a proof of principle that we can detect dark matter above Earth."